Project Inspiration {Happy Holidays}

As sad as it is to say, I think this will be one of the last Christmas cards I make this year! I absolutely love creating for Christmas and this one was so much fun to put together!

This card comes together in 7 easy steps and I will share tips and tricks along the way!

Step 1: Cut an A2 panel of light blue gingham pattern paper (or any paper of your choice). I used the retired Nesting Basics: Pierced Rectangles, but on closer thinking, I should have just used the Rounded Rectangles: Pierced Die! ha ha! Attach it to an A2 card base using liquid glue.

Step 2: Attach the mat layer that is cut using the Reflections: Isaiah 40 Die from white cardstock. Attach it to the gingham background using foam squares. 

Step 3: Cut the base layer of the tree from white cardstock using the Serene Evergreens Die. Cut two of the detail layers and glue them together. Add Green Parakeet ink to the base layer using a blender brush and Green Parakeet, New Leaf, and Pinefeather ink to the detail layer. Glue the base layer and the detail layer together and then add some Pinefeather ink splatter. Add to the card using foam squares.

Step 4: Using the This is Big Sentiments: Happy Holidays Die, cut the sentiment base from white and then stamp the SENTIMENT with both Pure Poppy and Scarlet Jewel ink for an ombre effect. Heat emboss the companion sentiment in gold onto a strip of Pure Poppy cardstock. Attach both sentiments using foam squares.

Step 5: Cut a bow using the Wrap-it Ribbons Die from Pure Poppy cardstock. Add some Scarlet Jewel ink and attach it to the top of the tree using foam squares.

Step 6: Cut the berries and foliage using the Into the Blooms: Swag Die from white cardstock. Color the pieces using the same green inks as the tree. The berries are colored with Pure Poppy and Scarlet Jewel ink. I gave the pieces a spritz or two of Hickory Smoke Distress Spritz and attached them to the card using foam squares and liquid glue.

Step 7: Add a spritz of Shimmer Spray-Sparkle and a few PTI Gems: Clear. I used the smallest size, the next smallest size and a few (maybe just one) of the next size up.

I just love the old-fashioned feeling of this card with it's nostalgic charm!

While I was editing the photos of this card, I was thinking how cute a red polka-dot pattern paper strip would look behind the white mat. I might have to make another one and try it!

I toyed around with adding some different colored pearls to the tree to mimic the look of ornaments, which would also be fun!

The bow looks very realistic if you use foam squares for each of the layers.

I hope you enjoyed today's project! I'm busy as a little Christmas bee getting all kinds of things baked, mixed, wrapped, etc. I hope you're all enjoying the last week before Christmas! Thanks for fluttering by!